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How will the audio industry change in the near future?

I'm hoping I can open this can of worms in a way that won't raise anybody's hackles, but it is partly about politics, so I'll try to tread lightly. With our incoming administration proposing to abandon our existing trade deals, especially with China, I was thinking that this would have a profound effect on the audio industry, as so many major companies have moved their manufacturing there. What happens if tariffs are imposed on these companies? How will these companies react? And how steeply will prices have to rise? Just some food for thought.

Re: How will the audio industry change in the near future?

What has been promised, what will be attempted, and what will actually be accomplished are at least six different things.

There are other industries more wedded to China than audio. Think computers, cell phones, and toasters. I haven't had a decent slice of toast in 15 years because all toasters are made in China and can't toast both sides of the same slice evenly. Burn one side and leave the other cold. Please, lets bring back high-end toaster manufacturing to the US.

Re: How will the audio industry change in the near future?

How lamentable, no decent toast for 15 years You should buy one of these: Magimix toaster. Made in France, I believe.

I agree with Mike about your incoming administration. Who knows what he/they will do. Down here we are pretty powerless and we can only hope that "making America great again" won't impact on us too much. We are just a little island nation

As for how the audio industry will change, you only need to look at current trends. I predict:

- Bluetooth audio will start to creep into the mid to high end market. The low end market is already saturated with bluetooth and wireless products. Maybe they might even not suck.

- Cheap storage and cheap data means we will get higher quality audio and video streaming. Admittedly, I am being optimistic about this, because one should never underestimate the masses to go for convenience over quality.

- More people will get into computer audio. The cost of entry is very low, and the versatility of PC's is incredible. It's just that most people don't know it yet.

- There will be more active speakers, like the Beolabs 90 and Meridian. I predict that more companies will jump into this market. KEF and Devialet already have their toe in the "expensive bookshelf active speaker" market, so an active floorstander that doesn't cost a bomb can't be too far off.

Re: How will the audio industry change in the near future?

Originally Posted by Keith_W

How lamentable, no decent toast for 15 years You should buy one of these: Magimix toaster. Made in France, I believe.

I agree with Mike about your incoming administration. Who knows what he/they will do. Down here we are pretty powerless and we can only hope that "making America great again" won't impact on us too much. We are just a little island nation

As for how the audio industry will change, you only need to look at current trends. I predict:

- Bluetooth audio will start to creep into the mid to high end market. The low end market is already saturated with bluetooth and wireless products. Maybe they might even not suck.

- Cheap storage and cheap data means we will get higher quality audio and video streaming. Admittedly, I am being optimistic about this, because one should never underestimate the masses to go for convenience over quality.

- More people will get into computer audio. The cost of entry is very low, and the versatility of PC's is incredible. It's just that most people don't know it yet.

- There will be more active speakers, like the Beolabs 90 and Meridian. I predict that more companies will jump into this market. KEF and Devialet already have their toe in the "expensive bookshelf active speaker" market, so an active floorstander that doesn't cost a bomb can't be too far off.